Ranking 3 candidates to replace Edwin Diaz as the closer if the Mets pulls the plug

All the king’s horses, and all the king’s men, will try to put New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz back together again. 

The discussion today is whether or not he will get another save opportunity. After blowing Saturday’s game in a non-save situation, Diaz spoke defeated and open to a change.

Just when Mets fans were knocked down, the baseball gods delivered a few more kicks. Saturday’s failure was his first time on the mound back in Miami since his 2023 injury during the WBC. Diaz admitted it’s not a physical problem, but a mental one. We should wonder if he’s afraid of getting hurt again.

This leaves the Mets with a whole lot of questions. If they pull the plug on Diaz as the closer, who takes on the role? Taking out the closer-by-committee option, these are the three best candidates right now.

3) Adam Ottavino

One part of me wants Adam Ottavino in the closer role because of his excellent strikeout numbers this year and MLB experience. Another part is a tap on the shoulder and a reminder of how he struggled in the role last season while sharing the duty alongside David Robertson.

Ottavino is in no way a bad choice as a backup closer. He has locked up one save this year in the lone game he finished. Why not turn to your most experienced reliever in a time of need?

With Ottavino, I wouldn’t want to break what’s working so well for him right now. A 2.95 ERA in 18.1 innings is great to see. He is one of the few pitchers not walking batters excessively either. His place as the eighth inning guy shouldn’t change because it’s not as if Diaz will simply move down one spot on the depth chart. If removed from the closer’s role, he needs to work his way toward regaining confidence.

No one will need to rant at an NJTransit station if Ottavino was named the closer. A perfectly fine option to turn to as needed, there are better choices.